Murder suspect back in court

NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD double murder suspect, Romeo Manelitto Schiefer, made another pre-trial appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s court yesterday.

This would be the last time Schiefer appears in this court on the charges, as his case has been referred to the High Court later this month. Magistrate Tuyenikelao Haikongo heard yesterday that the Prosecutor General had reached a decision in the Schiefer case, and that he is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in the High Court on July 24.This date will not only be when all problems regarding the case, including legal representation will be finalised, but will also mark the crossroad of the trial, based upon Schiefer’s plea.Should he plead not guilty, a trial date will then be set.In the case of a guilty plea, the case will be finalised then without any State witnesses present.Schiefer is on record as pleading not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court early this year.One key element of the prosecution’s case against him, however, is a detailed statement he made to the Police a day after his arrest, in which he admitted to killing both his parents in their home in Windhoek’s Khomasdal suburb on January 18 this year.During a failed application in May, Schiefer rejected this statement, saying that he succumbed to police pressure to make it.The court was further informed that Schiefer’s legal representation has now changed for a second time since his arrest in January.Defence lawyer Jan Wessels from Stern and Barnard Legal Practitioners yesterday took over Schiefer’s case from his previous lawyer, Ivo Dos Santos.Schiefer remains in police custody at the Windhoek Police station until his next court date.His family, including two older brothers, have throughout the trial expressed their support and belief in his innocence, and have consistently attended his every court appearance to date.Magistrate Tuyenikelao Haikongo heard yesterday that the Prosecutor General had reached a decision in the Schiefer case, and that he is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in the High Court on July 24.This date will not only be when all problems regarding the case, including legal representation will be finalised, but will also mark the crossroad of the trial, based upon Schiefer’s plea.Should he plead not guilty, a trial date will then be set.In the case of a guilty plea, the case will be finalised then without any State witnesses present.Schiefer is on record as pleading not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court early this year.One key element of the prosecution’s case against him, however, is a detailed statement he made to the Police a day after his arrest, in which he admitted to killing both his parents in their home in Windhoek’s Khomasdal suburb on January 18 this year.During a failed application in May, Schiefer rejected this statement, saying that he succumbed to police pressure to make it.The court was further informed that Schiefer’s legal representation has now changed for a second time since his arrest in January.Defence lawyer Jan Wessels from Stern and Barnard Legal Practitioners yesterday took over Schiefer’s case from his previous lawyer, Ivo Dos Santos.Schiefer remains in police custody at the Windhoek Police station until his next court date.His family, including two older brothers, have throughout the trial expressed their support and belief in his innocence, and have consistently attended his every court appearance to date.